Newcastle2 - 0Liverpool

Two Papiss Cisse goals maintained Newcastle's pursuit of a European place and extended 10-man Liverpool's recent Premier League misery.

Cisse headed in Hatem Ben Arfa's cross in the first half before tapping in from Demba Ba's centre after the break.

A poor afternoon for the visitors, who had Andy Carroll booked for diving against his former club, was made worse when goalkeeper Pepe Reina saw red.

They have now lost six of their last seven Premier League games.

Reina's dismissal came in the 82nd minute when, in collecting a Mike Williamson header, he was fouled by James Perch.

But when the Spaniard squared up to the Newcastle defender, leading with his head, referee Martin Atkinson had little choice but to send him off.

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Alan Pardew praises 'special' Cisse and Ben Arfa

Reina, who had played 183 consecutive league matches for the Reds, will now miss the next three games, including the FA Cup semi-final against Everton on 14 April.

Kenny Dalglish's side remain eighth in the Premier League, while Newcastle move level on points with fifth-placed Chelsea as they search for tangible reward from a season of remarkable evolution.

That Cisse was on target again to take his tally to seven in eight appearances was unsurprising, such has been his impact since joining from Freiburg for £9m in January.

It further illustrated the current gulf between the Senegalese and the man who used to wear the Newcastle number nine shirt.

Analysis

Jonathan PearceBBC Match of the Day commentator

This was an eighth Premier League defeat since the turn of the year for Liverpool. It was a very poor day for them after having Andy Carroll booked for diving and Pepe Reina sent off. Newcastle's victory was deserved and they're keeping up the pressure on the teams above them for a Champions League spot.

Carroll - like Jose Enrique, making his first return to Tyneside since signing for Liverpool last year - was booed by the Newcastle supporters from the kick-off and sarcastically cheered when substituted later on.

And he did not improve his relations with the home faithful when he was booked for rounding goalkeeper Tim Krul and falling to the ground with the goal at his mercy.

The £35m striker, who has scored eight goals since his January 2011 move, was then left further frustrated when he headed off target later in the first period.

Craig Bellamy's deflected cross also clipped the bar and Liverpool had a valid penalty appeal when Danny Simpson, on the goal-line, blocked Williamson's inadvertent header with his arm.

But those attempts were overshadowed when Cisse cleverly headed back across goal and inside the far post to finish off great trickery by Ben Arfa.

In keeping with a superb season, built on some new-found talents which have graced the Premier League, the goal gave Newcastle added confidence on the ball.

Cisse headed just wide from Danny Guthrie's centre before half-time with Willamson hitting a post after the break.

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Frustrations got better of us - Dalglish

But once again Liverpool, who have won just two Premier League games in 2012, understandably looked short on belief in front of goal.

Jonjo Shelvey, making his second league start of the season, shot at Krul, while Perch cleared Luis Suarez's goalbound shot after Krul misjudged Enrique's cross.

The Reds went further behind when Ben Arfa linked with Ba and, despite the Frenchman failing to make contact with the return ball, Cisse tucked in at the back post.

And Reina's dismissal summed up a disappointing afternoon, with Enrique replacing the keeper in goal because Liverpool had used up all of their substitutions.

14:39 The ball is swung over by Craig Bellamy, Hatem Ben Arfa makes a clearance. Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by
Steven Gerrard, Danny Simpson manages to make a clearance. Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Craig Bellamy,
Headed effort from inside the area by Andy Carroll misses to the left of the goal.

13:46 The ball is delivered by Demba Ba, comfortable save by Jose Reina.

6:58 James Perch challenges Luis Suarez unfairly and gives away a free kick. Steven Gerrard crosses the ball, Martin Skrtel has
a headed effort from close in and clears the bar.

4:47 A cross is delivered by Luis Suarez, clearance by Mike Williamson.

4:03 Demba Ba sends in a cross, comfortable save by Jose Reina.

3:12 Jonjo Shelvey takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Blocked by Yohan Cabaye. Steven Gerrard takes a inswinging corner
from the left by-line played to the near post, Papiss Cisse manages to make a clearance.

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